Bag feeding and filling machine



Feb.4 19, 1957 F. L. HOPKINS ETAL 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Feb. 19, 1957 F. I .HoPKlNs ETAL 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 19, 1957 F. HOPKINS ETAI- 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING ND FILLING MACHINE Filed sept. 2o, 1954 7 sheets-sheet s Feb' 19, 1957 F. l.. HOPKINS ETAL 2,781,620

. BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,47' OPA/5K5 Feb. 19, 1957 F, HOPKlNs ErAL 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,il Hll' i i Feb. 19, 1957 F HopKlNs ETAL 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 l 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Feb. 19, 1957 F 1 HQPKlNs ETAL 2,781,620

BAG FEEDING AND FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 20, 1954 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 nited States Patent iice Z ,78 1,620 new er 19 195:1

Our invention relates generally to packaging machines and more specifically toy machines having bag filling means and mechanism for feeding empty bags to the bag filling means.

More particularly our present invention is adapted for use in feeding and filling relatively small bags made from paper, cellophane or the like, with bulk material such as flour, sugar, coffee or other powdered or granular substance.

An limportant object of our invention is the provision of a bag feeding and filling mechanism which will automatically extract a closed bag from a stack thereof, open the closed bag, move the bag into engagement with a bag filling means and thereafter move the filled bag to a remotel point for closing and sealing thereof.

Another object of our invention is the provision of a novel transfer device for transporting empty bags in succession from a receiving position to a position wherein the bag is in register with `a bag filling means, and for simultaneouslysmoving filled bags in succession away from said point of registry with the'bag filling means.

Still another object of our invention is the provision of a transfer device as set forth having a bag holder to which a bag may be easily fed and wherein the bag may be partially opened before being removed therefrom;

A still further object of our invention is the provision of a bag feeding and filling machine as set forth having means whereby a filled bag is released and jarred to cause settling of the contents before the bagis closed and sealed.

Still another object ofour invention is the provision of a bag feeding and filling machine which is relatively simple in construction, which may be quickly and easily adjusted to accommodate bags of different sizes, and

which is highly efficient in operation and durable in use. i

To the above ends we provide a machine having a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side relation, bag filling means, an extractor for removing kbags singly from the magazine, a bag transfer device for'receiving the bags from the extractor and delivering the bags toward the bag filling means, and means for opening the bags and applying the same to the filling means, after which the filled bags are released by the bag opening means and displaced by the bag transfer device during its bag transferring4V movement toward the bag filling means.

`A still further object of our invention is the provision of novel means for preventing the deliveryi of material from the bag iillingmeansin ythe event of failure of the bag feeding mechanism to deliver an empty bag to the filling means. Y

Still another object of our inventionis the provision of control mechanism forshutting off the'machine in the eventthat filled'bags are not removed therefrom.

Another object of our invention isthe provision of a machine as set forth utilizing suba'tmospheric pressure operatedV bag'V engaging elementsL ,ofy novel construction, whereby bags ofL relatively fi'irns'y material will not bey distorted when engaged by said elements.

2 The above and still further highly' importantobje'cts and advantages of our invention will becpmeapparent from the following detailed specification, appended claims and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the inven-V tion, and in which likev characters indicate like parts throughout the several views: v Fig. l is a view in sidel elevation of a bag feeding and filling machine built in accordancewith'our invention; I y Fig. 2 is a View in front elevation of our novel bag feeding and filling machine;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view corresponding to a portion of Pig. 1, some parts beingbroken away and some parts shown in section;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken sub' stantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2, some pai-ts being removed;

Fig. 5 is a still further enlargedV fragmentary view corresponding to a portionof Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View in elevation as seen fronr the right to the left with respect to Fig. 5,' some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;

Fig. 7 is a horizontal section' the line 7-7 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view in front elevation as seen fromY the line 8;-8 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the bag holding magazine, transfer device and bag filling meansvof our invention;

raken substantially ori Fig. 10 is a fragmentary View in front elevation as' seen from the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a view corresponding tolFig. 9 ybut showing a dierent position of some of the parts;

Fig. 12 is a View in front elevation as seen from the une n n of Fig. 11; t A

Fig. 13 lis a view corresponding to Figs. 9 and 11 butl showing a still different position of some of the parts;

Fig'. 14 is a view corresponding to Figs`, 9, 11 and 13 but showing a still different position of some of the parts;

Fig. 15 is an' enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on the line 1S-415 of Fig. 14; and

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view of some of ther operating mechanism of our invention.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, a supporting structure, indicated by the numeral 1, is shown as comprising a pair of laterally spaced generally upright parallel frame members 2 and 3 anchored at their lower ends to a base 4 and tied together at their upper ends by a cross member 5. A pair of laterally spaced beams 6 and 7 extend upwardly from the frame members 2 and 3 respectively. A supply hopper 8 is supported between the upper ends of the beams 6 and 7, and isadapted todischarge material into a measuring device 9 having measuring com.

partments 10 which receive material from the hopper 8 and dispense measured quantities of the material into a. conduit 11 which terminates at its lower end in arfilling spout or the like 12.

for rotation on and supportedby a' rotary shaft 13 extending upwardly from the frame l and driven by suitable means to be hereinafter described. The a'bovenie'ntioned measuring device and mechanism for operating the same do not, in themselves, comprise the instant invention.

Hence, detailed showing and description thereof is deemed well known to ythose' skilled unnecessary, the same being in the art. It will be noted', however, that'the'fillin'g spout 12 is disposed adjacent the front portion of the machine The measuring device 9 is mountedl erally segmental magazine 16 comprising a pair of side i walls 17 each having a split clamping boss 18 by means of which each side wall 17 is secured to the shaft 14. Each of the side walls 17 of the magazine 16 is formed to provide an inturned circumferentially extended flange 19 against which the bottoms of bags A are adapted to rest. The bags A are preferably made from a paper, cellophane or the like, and are contained within the magazine 16 in closed flat form and in side-by-side stacked relation, the opposite side edges of the closed bags loosely slidably engaging the inner surfaces of the side walls 17. The side walls 17 are connected adjacent their forward discharge end portions by a transversely extending shaft 20 which permits movement of the side walls 17 toward and away from each other, but which prevents relative circumferential movement between side walls 17 about the axis of the rock shaft 14. It will be noted that the anges 19, adjacent the lower discharge end of the hopper 16, are provided with upstanding lips 21 which cooperate with the shaft 20 to hold the bags A against accidental outward movement from the magazine 16. Means for oscillating the rock shaft 14, for a purpose which will hereinafter be described, comprises a crank arm 22 which is rigidly connected at its inner end to the rock shaft 14, and which at its outer end is provided with a cam follower roller 23 that engages a cam 24 fixed on a power driven rotary shaft 25 that is journalled in its opposite end portions in the side frame members 2 and 3.

For removing the bags A singly and in succession from the magazine 16, we provide a bag extractor comprising a suction head 26 that is rigidly mounted on a shaft 2.7 which extends transversely of the supporting structure 1 from a slide 28. Slide 28 is mounted for vertical sliding movement on a guide bar 29 that is carried by upper and lower spacer elements 30 rigidly secured to the frame member 2 of the supporting structure. Subatmospheric pressure is applied to the suction head 26 by means of a conduit 31 having a llexible connection 32 therein and which may be assumed to be connected to a conventional suction pump P shown diagrammatically in Flg. 16. Means for imparting sliding movements to the slide 28 whereby to move the extractor head 26 between an upper bag extracting position adjacent the magazine 16 and a lower bag delivery position below the level of the magazine 16, comprises a rigid link 33 pivotally connected at its upper end to the slide 28 as indicated at 34, and at its lower end to one arm 35 of a bell crank indicated in its entirety by the numeral 36. The pivotal connection of the link 33 to the bell crank lever arm 35 is indicated at 37. The bell crank 36 also includes a lever arm 38 and is pivotally secured inter mediate the lever arms 35 and 38 to a bracket 39 that is rigidly secured to the frame member 2 by nut-equipped bolts or the like 40. The pivotal connection between the bell crank 36 and the bracket 39 is indicated at 41. A cam follower roller 42 is journalled on the outer end of the bell crank lever arm 38 and is contained in the track 43 of a cam 44 that is rigidly mounted on a power drlven rotary shaft 45 that extends transversely of the supporting structure 1 and journalled at its opposite end portions in the frame members 2 and 3. With reference to Figs. 5, 6 and l5, it will be seen that the suction head 26 includes a rubber-like bag engaging cup 26a and a split body portion 46 which encompasses the shaft 27 and which is locked in adjusted set position longitudinally of the shaft 27 by a clamping screw or the like 47. A perforated plate 26b is mounted in the cup 26a and prevents the engaged portion of the bag from being drawn into the interior of the head 26, particularly when bags A made from limsy material, such as cellophane, are used.

The above described bag extractor, during its downward movement, delivers a bag A from the magazine 16 to a bag transfer device indicated in its entirety at 48. The

transfer device 48 is movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the lower bag delivery position of the bag extractor 26 and a -forwardly projected bag delivery position, and includes an arm 49 extending generally in the direction of said movements. The transfer device 48 further includes a bag holder 50 comprising a. pair of bag supporting elements 51 and 52 which define opposed bag receiving channels 53. The channels 53 extend generally vertically and are closed at their bottom ends, whereby to slidably receive opposite side edge portions of a closed bag A, the bottom of the bag A adjacent the side edges thereof resting on the closed lower ends of the supporting members 51 and 52. The supporting members 51 and 52 are provided at their lower end portions with rearwardly projecting lugs or bosses 54 which are each provided with aligned apertures 55 that slidably receive a cross sectionally rectangular supporting bar 56. Set screws or the like 57 are screw threaded into the bosses 54 and engage the mounting bar 56 whereby to rigidly secure the supporting elements 51 and 52 in desired set spaced apart relationship. The mounting bar 56 is rigidly secured to the intermediate portion of the arm 49 as indicated at 58, see particularly Fig. 7.

The front end of the arm 49 is formed to provide a vertically Vdisposed pusher plate 59 which extends transversely of the direction of reciprocatory movement of the transfer device, and the purpose of which will hereinafter be described. Means mounting the transfer dcvice 48, including the bag holder 50 and the pusher plate 59, includes a pair of rigid links 60 and 61 that are disposed in generally parallel spaced relationship. Said links 60 and 61 are pivotally secured at their lower ends to the rear end and intermediate portions respectively of the arm 49 as indicated at 62 and 63 respectively. rl`he link 60 at its upper end is pivotally secured to the frame member 3 as indicated at 64 whereas the link 61 is pivotally secured intermediate its ends to the frame member 3 as indicated at 65. It will be noted that the pivotal connections between the links 60 and 61 and the arm 49, as well as the pivotal connections between said links and the frame member 3, provide for swinging movements of the links about parallel horizontally extended axes. lt will be further noted that the pivotal connections 62 and 63 are also on horizontal axes parallel to the axes of the pivotal connections 64 and 65, whereby swinging movements of the links 60 and 61 impart reciprocatory movement to the bag transfer device 4S in forward and rearward directions while maintaining the bag holder 50 and pusher plate 59 in substantially vertical positions. A cam follower roller 66 is journalled to the upper extended end 67 of the link 61, and engages a cam 68 rigidly secured to the power driven rotary shaft 25, see Fig. 3. A coil tension spring 69 has one end secured to the link 61 below its pivotal connection` 65 to the frame member 3, and its other end secured to the frame member 3, as indicated at 70, whereby to yieldingly urge the link 61 in a direction to cause movement of the transfer device 48 toward its retracted bag receiving position of Fig. ll. Obviously, this yielding bias of the spring 69 maintains the cam -follower roller 66 in engagement with the cam 68.

A pair of cross sectionally channel-shaped iingers 71 and 72 are pivotally secured at their upper ends to the illing spout 12 of the bag lling means by means of pivot pins or the like 73 extending outwardly from bearing blocks 74 on opposite sides of the lower discharge end of the filling spout 12. The ngers 71 and 72 are movable between a bag receiving position, shown in Fig. l2, and a laterally spread bag opening position illustrated in Fig. l0. As will presently appear, an empty bag is moved upwardly from the bag holder S0 in a partially opened condition and receives therein the fingers 71 and 72 in their laterally nested Atogether position of Fig. 12. The fingers 71 and 'l2 are moved lo their' laterally spread apart psitionl of Fig; l0` about Iaxes of the pins 73 duringupwaid movement of the bag' A tocaus'e the bag A to be fully opened as it reaches its limit of upward travel. Rigidly secured to the upper end of the bag opening or spreading linger 72 is a lever 75 which at one end is providedv with a pin 76 that extends through a slot 77 in an arm 78 rigidly secured to the spreading or bag opening linger 71' at its upper end portion whereby swinging movement of the finger 72 in one' direction will cause like swinging movement to be imparted to the finger 71 in the opposite direction. Means for imparting swinging movements to 4the* lever 75 in opposite directions comprises a rigid link 79 pivotally connected at its lower end to the outer end of the lever '75 as indicated at 80, a lever 81, and a cam 82 rigidly mounted on the power driven shaft 25. With reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that the upper end of the link 79 is coupled to one end portion of the lever Si as indicated at 83. The lever 81 is pivotally secured intermediate its ends to' 'the lower end portion of the filling tube 11 by a rock shaft or the like 84, and is provided at its opposite end portion with a cam follower roller 85 that engages the cam 82. A coil tension spring 86 has its opposite ends connected to the end of the lever 81 adjacent the connection 83-and the cross frame member 5 as indicated at 87.

Underlying the lilling spout 12 and bag opening lingers 71- and 72 is a bag receiving platform 88 comprising a plurality of spaced parallel rods or bars 89 supported by a bracket element 90 between the frame members Zand 3.' The platform 88 is disposed below .the level of the bottom of the pusher plate 59'so that the pusher plate may move forwardly and rearwardly thereover during reciprocatory movement of the transfer device 48. An endless conveyor belt 91l runs over -a pair of spaced pulleys 92 and 95 respectively journallcd in frame structure 96 extending transversely across and suitably anchored to the front edges of the frame" members 2 and 3. The frame structure 96 also supports a vertical guide plate or rail 97 which extends longitudinally of the conveyor belt 91' adjacent the outer edge thereof. The guide plate 97 is supported in place by swinging arms 98 and 98a having their upper ends pivotally secured to the guide plate 97 and their lower ends p'ivotally secured to brackets 96a on' the frame'str'ucture 96. A coil 4tension spring 96h yieldingly urges the arms 98 and 98a in a direction to move the guide plate 97 inwardly toward the platform 88. A stop screw 9811 limits inward movement of the guide plate 97, see Figs. 3 and 7. A pair of other guide plates 99 and 100 extend longitudinally of the conveyor belt 91 adjacent its inner edge and at opposite sides of the platform 88. Means for driving the conveyor belt 91 comprises a rotary shaft 101 journalled at one end in a sleeve 102 secured to a gear box 103 that is suitably mounted on -the supporting structure 1. The shaft 101, at its other end, is journalled in a bearing bracket 104 suitably secured to the frame structure 96. An endless link chain 105 runs over a sprocket 106 on `the shaft 101 and,Y a second sprocket 107 on the conveyor pulley shaft?v 951 Rotation is imparted to the shaft 101 by. a pair of cooperating bevel gears 108 and 109 the former of which is mounted on and secured to the shaft 101 and the latter of which is suitably mounted on the power driven rotary shaft 45.

When a bag A has been removed from the magazine 16 by the extractor mechanism and placed into the bag holder 50 the bag is transferred by the transfer device 48 to a point overlying the platform 88 and in register with the filling spout 12 and the bag opening lingers 71 and 72. For the purpose of opening the upper end portion of the bag to an extent to receive the ngers 71 and 72, and for moving the bag upwardly over the fingers I provide bag opening elementsin the-nature' of opposed 93 that are mounted on shafts 94 and 6 pairs of front and rear heads"l andl I1111msp'ectively' that are identia'l'vto `the suction head 72,6; The suction heads 110 are mounted on bodies 112 that are releasably anchored on a mountingshaft or rod 113 whichl extends transversely between the frame members 2 and 3 from ya mounting arm or lever 11,14'. The bodies 112 are adapted' to be releasably locked in adjusted set position between the opposite ends of the mountingshaft or rod 113. Likewise, the suction heads 1.11Y extend outwardly from' body elements 115 thatarey releasably' locked on a mounting rod or shaft 116( extending transversely between the franje members 2 and 3 from a mounting arm or lever 117. The pairs of suction heads 110 and 111` are' in opposed relationship and are connected to a source of subatmospheric pressure, such as a suction pump or the like, not shown, by means of a mainConduit 118 having a exible section 119 interposed therein, and branch conduits 120 and 121, the former of which is connected to the suctiony heads 110andv the latter of which is connected yto the suction heads 111.

With reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be seen that the suction heads 110 and 111A are mounted adjacent the upper ends of their respective mounting arms 11'4 and 117, and that said arms are pivotally secured at their lower ends to a'slide block 122 for pivotal swinging movements about parallel horizontal axes, and as indicated at 123 and 124 respectively. The arms 114 and 117, below their pivotal connections to the slide block 122 are provided with depending lingers 125 and 126 respectively, to the lower ends of which are connected the opposite ends of a coil tension-spring 127. The spring 127r yieldin'gly urges the arms 114 and 117 in a direction to move 'their respective suction heads 1170 and 111 toward spaced apart relationship. The arm or lever 117 is further provided with a second depending finger or the like 128, to fthe lower end of which is journ'alled a cam follower roller 129 which is adapted to be received in an open upper-endedslot 1 30 in a camactingV plate 131 which is mounted for lateral adjustment on a base plate 131 which in turn is mounted for vertical sliding` movementsy on a plate-like lguide rail 132 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the frame member 2. It will here be noted lthat the slide block 122 is also mounted for vertical sliding movementson the guide rail 132 above the cam plate 131. Said` cam plate 131 and base plate 131 are normally stationary with respect =to the guide rail 132. The base plate 131 is provided with a laterally outwardly projecting lug 133 ,through which extends a generally vertically extended adjustment screw or stud 134. A pair of stop nuts or collars 135, one on each side of the lug 133, prevents relative vertical movement between the cam plate 131 and the adjustment stud 134. The lower end portion of the stud 134 extends through a` supporting block 136 on the frame member 2, and has screw threaded thereon a pair of adjustment nuts 137, one above and the other below the supporting block 136. Manipulation of fthe adjustment nuts 137 will locate the cam plate 131 in the desired relationship vertically with respect to thel cam follower roller 129 of the arm 117. The cani plate 131 is laterally adjustable with respect to the base plate 131A so'tha't the slot may be located to properly receive the cam follower roller 129 upon downward movement of the slide block 122. The slot 130'inI` the cam plate 131 is so shaped that, when the slideV block 122and the parts carried thereby approach their limit of downward movement, the suction heads 111 will be caused to move toward their opposite suction heads 110'. Means for causing like movement of the suction heads 110 toward the heads 111 comprises va lever 138 pivotally secured at'its central portion to the Islide block links 139 and 140, the former of which` is pivotally connected at one endy to one yend of the lever 138"a'nd at its other endl to Y the arm 114, and the latter ofwhclr's pivotally connected at one end to the opposite end of the 122 and a pair of rigid lever 138 and. at its other end to the arm 117, see Figs. 4 and 5. With this arrangement, swinging movement of the suction head supporting arm 117 imparted thereto by the cam plate 131 in one direction will cause equal swinging movement to be imparted to the arm 114 in the opposite direction. The immediately above-described mechanisms are so situated in the supporting structure 1, that, when the cam plate 131 causes the suction heads 110 and 111 to move toward each other during downward movement of the slide block 122, the suction heads 110 and 111 will engage opposite side walls of a bag supported in the bag holder 50. During subsequent upward movement of the slide block 122, the cam plate 131 will aid the spring 127 to separate suction heads 110 and 111 to open -the upper portion of the bag engaged thereby.

Inasmuch as the several branch connections 120 and 121 of `the conduit 118 are flexible, said branch connections may, in some instances, urge the suction head supporting arms 114 and 117 toward each other. However, such urging of the arms toward each other is more than offset by the tension of the spring 127. ln the event that the spring 127 should break or become otherwise incapable of holding the suction heads 110 and 111 in their fully separated positions after the cam follower roller 129 has left `the slot 130 in the cam plate 131, the arms 114 an 117 might possibly `move toward each other sufficiently to cause the suction heads 110 and 111 to strike the lower ends of the channel-shaped bag opening fingers 71 and 72 thus causing considerable damage. For the purpose of safeguarding against such a contingency, we provide means for positively moving the arms 114 and 117 apart to a predetermined extent during upward travel of the slide block 122 on the guide rail 132. Such means comprises an adjustable striker pin 141 mounted on a lower extended portion 142 of the lever 138, and a cooperating vertically disposed guide plate 143 bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the frame member 2 adjacent the normal path of travel of the striker pin 141. It will be noted that accidental movement of the arms 114 and 117 toward each other will cause the lever 138 to move vthe striker pin 141 laterally toward engagement with the guide plate 143. When this action occurs during upward movement of the slide block 122 and after the cam follower 129 has left the slot 130 in the cam plate 131, the striker pin 141 will engage the lower curved end of the guide plate 143 and be moved laterally inwardly thereby thus causing the arms 114 and 117 to again separate sufficiently to move the suction heads 110 and 111 laterally outwardly beyond the planes of the adjacent sides of the bag opening fingers 71 and 72. Preferably, the suction heads 110 and 111 are provided with perforated plates, not shown, but like the plate 26b of the suction head 26, whereby to prevent distortion of flimsy bag material. Such distortion otherwise causes diiculty in mounting the bags over :the fingers 71 and 72.

Means for imparting upward and downward movements to the slide blocks 122 andthe parts Carried thereby comprises a rigid link or push rod 144 comprising upper and lower threaded sections 145 and 146 respectively and an internally threaded central tubular section 147. The upper link section 145 is pivotally secured to the slide block 122 as indicated at 148 and, like its cooperat ing link section 146, is screw threaded to receive the internally threaded upper end portion of the central section 147. The lower link 146 is screw threaded into the lower end portion of the central section 147, and at its lower end is pivotally secured to one arm 149 of a bell crank 150 which is mounted at its central portion 151 to the frame member 2 for rocking movements, see Fig. 6. The pivotal connection between the lower end of the lower push rod section 146 and the bell crank arm l149 comprises a nut-equipped threaded shaft or bolt 152 which extends through a suitable aperture in the lower end of the push rod section 146 and through a slot 153 at the outer end portion of the bell crank arm 149. It will be noted that the slot 153 extends generally longitudinally of the bell crank arm 149. By moving the shaft 152 toward one end or the other of the slot 153 and locking the same in place, the length of traveling movement of the slide block 122 on vthe guide rail 132 may be varied. Manipulation of the central section 147 of the push rod 144 will elevate the upper and lower limits of movement of the slide block 122, or lower said limits as desired, the distance between said limits being adjusted by movement of the bolt 152 longitudinally of the slot 153 as above described. The bell crank 150 includes an arm 154 to the outer end of which is jour nailed a cam follower roller 155 which engages a cam track 156 in a rotary cam 157 mounted on the power driven rotary shaft 45 adjacent the cam 44, see particularly Fig. 6.

Power for imparting operative movements to the various mechanisms of our novel feeding and filling machine includes an electric driving motor 158 and driving connections now to be described. The motor 158 is coupled to a conventional gear reducer 159 to the output shaft of which is connected a sprocket wheel 160 by means of a clutch 161. Clutch operating mechanism includes a bell crank lever 162, a handle-equipped bell crank lever 163 and a link 164 connecting the bell cranks 162 and 163. An endless link chain 165 runs over the sprocket wheel 160 and a second sprocket wheel 166 mounted on a jack shaft 167 journalled in the frame member 2, see Figs. l and 3. A toothed pinion 168 is keyed or otherwise rigidly secured to the jack shaft 167 and has meshing engagement with a relatively large gear 169 rigidly mounted on the shaft 45 adjacent the frame member 2. A sprocket wheel 170 is rigidly sccured to the shaft 45 between the frame member 3 and the gear box 103 and has running thereover an endless link chain 171 which runs over and drives a sprocket wheel 172 rigidly mounted on one end of the rotary shaft 25. At its other end, the shaft 25 is provided with a sprocket wheel 173 over which and a second sprocket Wheel 174 runs an endless link chain 175, whereby to drive a control shaft 176 journalled in a control box or housing 177. The control box 177 contains power operated switches and control mechanism, not shown, for controlling the operation of the various suction heads.

ln order to facilitate the movement of bags A in the magazine 16 toward the discharge end thereof, we provide a rock-arm 178 mounted at one end to the guide bar 29 for limited upward and downward rocking movements. A transversely extended rod 179 is anchored to the outer end of the rock arm 178 and has rigidly secured thereto an upstanding resilient plate-like finger 180 which is adapted to move upwardly between the side plates 17 of the magazine 16 and between adjacent bags therein, in rearwardly spaced relation to the discharge end of the magazine. Means for imparting upward movement to the rock arm 178 comprises a hook element 181 on the slide 2S engageable with a boss or stud 182 projecting outwardly from the rock arm 178 intermediate its ends. During upward movement of the bag extractor head 26 and its mounting slide 2S, the magazine 16 moves forwardly to position the foremost bag therein to be engaged by the extractor suction head 26. The hook element 181 engages the boss 182 and swings the rock arm in an upward direction to position the finger 180 between bags A in rearwardly spaced relation to the discharge end of the magazine 16. Subsequent rearward swinging movement of the magazine prior to downward movement of the rock arm 173 and finger 180 causes the bags forwardly or' the finger 130 to be moved rela tively in a forward direction toward the discharge end of the magazine.

For the purpose of moving the several mechanisms of 'ars-.ncaa

ourv machine' slowly'r and intermitteti'y.` tot enable' thel operator to adjust the various vdevices 'tot acornrnodate' bags'of'a'predetermined sie, .v'e' provide afrelatively;lange`l hand wheel 183 ke'y'ed or'otherwise yrigidly"seeuredft the" jack shaft -1-67. When tlie handleeqipped bellIk cranky 163v isf manipulated to lcausey disengagement? 'ofthe clutch 161,- the-hand wheel 182-may be manually rotated to' position' the various mechanismsk asdesired; so that adjustments maybe made.

Opration4 v With the' motor 158 energized, and with thev clutch 161 invv engagement to drive thelink cli'ai'i'l'f-`165-,`y the powerdriv'en shafts 25 and 45will rotate t`o'caus`el the several' actuator devices 'or cams tov impart: oscillatory' movements to the magazine' 16;k extactin'g' and fee'dingfmovements to-the bag extractor suction headf26; projecting' and retracting `reciprocatcryV rn'ovem'entl t'o the" transfer device 48,- bagl opening and liftingv movements tothe'suct'ion' head equipped arms 114 and 117 and baglope'n'i'ng movementsfto the bag engaging lingers '71 and 72; all in definite timed relationship; Assh'o'viinby' arrows inFig;l 14; when' the transfer device is'inv its projected position, the' bagy extractor head is moved upwardly by action' ofthe' cam 44on the bell crank 36 toward its bag-engaging.' upper position ofFig. 9. alevel' slightly above the lips 21v ofthe magazine 16', the-magazine is o'scillated-lforw'ardly byaction of thecam 44' on the cani follower 43 to bring the"forem0stbag .Av intol engagement with the suction hed -26 as indicated by dotted' lines in Fig. 9. Al'so at this time itmay be assumed that the interior of the conduit 31 leading to the lfead 26, is under subatmosphericy pressure so that the' engaged bags willy adherey tothe suction'fhead 26". The suction l'iead26 continuestonrove" upwardly a distance suflicient to cause the bottom edge of the' engaged bagl to beraised above the top of the lipsv 21 whereupon the magazine 16 will oscillate rearwardly to its full line position of Fig. 9. During this time, thetransfe'r device 48 is moved to its retracted position-of Figs. 9' and? 10 andthe bag extractor suction head 26 moves downwardly' to insert the bag A gripped thereby into the b'agh'older 50. As the bottom edge of the bag A nears the` bottom-of the bag holder 50, control elem-ents within" the' control box 177 operate'to disconnect -thesouce'fo'f subatr'opheric pressure to the suction h'e'ad 26 whereupon the grip' thereof on'the bagl is released arid-'the suction'hed 26 continues its downward movement to an extreme lower position shown in Fig. 13 where it is emved from'the path of forward projected movement of the' transfer device 48. The transfer-device 48"'11'113" `s` moved-forwardly to bring' the bag holder' 50'a1`id'b into overlying relationship to 'the-platformfSS" and into registerV with the overlying bag opening' channel-shaped lingers 71 and 72.

As the bag- A comes into registerwith the bag filling means, the slide block 122 and parts carricd t l1 ere`by' is moved downwardly by action of the cam 157 onthe bell crank 15G'. As the slide block 1,22 neat-sits limit of downward movement, the cani follower roller 129 is received within the slot 130 of cam plate' 131', and moves to bring the suction heads A1,10 and l'llinto operative engagement with opposite side wall surfaces` of the' bag between the bag supporting elements' and 5'2'of the bag helder 50. At thisjpoin'f the eenden 11s' and branch conduits 12! and 121 are undef'sbatmosph'eric pressure to cause the suctionheads 110 and'lll to iiim'ly grip the opposed outer wall surfaces-of the bag The slide block 122 then moves upwardly causing the amis 114 and 117,10 spread apart with a consetiuent'separting of the opposite side walls vof the bag by tl'ieslctini heads 110 and 111 to partially open the bag as slioivin'Fig. 14. The bag is sufficiently open' to receive" the bag opening fingers 71 and 72, and the'uba'g co nuesilt'o be raised anni the lower ends' or the angers '7i arid-12 are'Y When the extractor lfheadi=26 reaches arried thereby liag'lA-isremoved'fromthe` bag holder Sl" by4 tlie suction heads llland 111, ythe transfer 'device 48 is-moved to its to' receive a subsequent bag' retracted position whereby fron'r the extractor head Z6, which has moved upwardly to vextract-thasecond bag during the time of bag opening? As the'- iir`st' bag isdelivered upwardly to the filling.

spout, as shown in'Figs. 9 and l0, and by dotted lines in Fig. 14, the cam 82 and spring 86cause the lingers 71 and 72 to' move from their bag receiving position of Fig. l2 to their spreadl apartposition of Fig. l0 whereby to completely open the bag during its upward movementand hold thesarn'e in generally cross sectionally rectangular shape. A predetermined quantity of ll isl then dis- Ch'argedinto the bag, whereupon the-'fingers 71 and 72 will be moved slightly toward each other under action of the cam 82 to release their holding pressure on the bagzwalls' and theY suction heads 110 and 111 will begin their downward movement. shown', within the control box 177 are so arranged that the suction heads" and 111 are released from subatmospheric pressure duringtheir downward movement whereby tot lose their gripl upon the bag when the suc-- tion` heads'lld and 111 are substantially in their positionl of Fig". ll, permitting the lled bag to drop to the platforr'n 8S. Theimpact'of the lled bag upon the platform 88"causes the contents thereof to become packed sufciently' so that, normally, no further jarring thereof is. necessary. After the bag A has been dropped to the platform 88 the transfer device 48'moves toward its projected position. During this movement, the pusher plate 59 engages the lilled bag A on the platform 88 and moves the same onto the conveyor belt 91 by means of which thebag istransferred to other means for closing and sealing, not shown'. t willbey seen by reference to Figs. l3'fand 14, that when the first bag A is moved onto the conveyor belt 91, the second bag in the bag holder is in registry with'the bag filling spout 12 and positioned to be engaged by thel bag wall engaging elements or suction heads? 1-10 and 111 for applicationv to the bag opening fingers 71 and 72. This cycle of operation is repeated until the` requi-red knumber of'bags are filled or until the supply of empty bags in the magazine 16 is depleted.

Fig.V 16 indicates diagramrn'atically mechanism for renderingfinoperat'ive the bag filling means in the event that the -transferl device fails to deliver a bag to the bag opening ve'l'em'entsfor suction heads 110 and 111. As shown in Fig; 16,- ,the conduit 118 is connected to the suction pump P and-'has interposed therein a valve 184 that is controlledV byv a` solenoid 185. The solenoid is contained inf an electrical circuitcomprising a lead 186 that is connected to opposite lines 187 and 138 of a conventional electrical power supply'. Interposed in the lead 186`r between the' solenoid 185 and the line 187 are a pair of'camoperate'd switches 189`and 190, and a relay operated switch`191. The" switchl 191 is adapted to be closed by'energ'iz'ation of a relay coil 192 which is connectedacros's` the lines 187 and 188' by a lead 193 connected at one-end to the lead 186' and at its other end to the power line 188. A manually operated master control switch 194 is also interposed in the lead 186. The switches 189 Y and' 190 are operated by timing cams 195 and 196 respec- The control elements, not

as, for example, a releasable coupling 200 controlled by a shifter fork 201 that is coupled to the armature 202 of a solenoid 203 and yieldingly biased toward a shaft uncoupled position. The solenoid 203 is interposed in a circuit comprising a lead 204 connected at one end to the lead 186 between the solenoid 185 and the power line 188, and at its other end to the power line 187. A switch 205 is interposed in the lead 204 between the solenoid 203 and the power line 187. An air conduit 206 leads from the conduit 118 to a switch actuator housing 207, which housing defines a chamber closed by a diaphragm 208 operatively engaging the switch 205. A shunt lead 209 is connected to the lead 186 between the cam operated switches 189 and 190 and the lead 204 between the solenoid 203 and the switch 205 whereby to shunt out the switch 205 during that portion of the operating cycle in which the suction heads 110 and 111 are not subject to subatmospheric pressure.

It will be understood that the switch 205 is caused to be closed under subatmospheric pressure within the housing 207, and opened when the chamber defined by the housing 207 and diaphragm '20S is open to atmosphere through the conduit 206 and suction heads 110 and 111. Thus, when the cams 195 and 196 cause their respective switches 189 and 190 to close whereby to energize the solenoid 185 and open the valve 184, sufficient air will be drawn inwardly through the suction heads 110 and 111 when no bag is present therebetween to cause the interior of the housing 207 to rernan under atmospheric pressure and the switch 205 to be open. Then, upon opening of the switch 190 by its cam 176, the solenoid 2e?, will be deenergized and the shaft 13 will remain stationary. Thus no material will be discharged through the filling spout 12 when no bag is present on the fingers 71 and 72.

In the event that filled bags A become stalled on the conveyor belt 91 to the extent that one of the bags remains on the belt between the platform 88 and the guide rail 97, movement of a subsequent bag by the kbag transfer device against the last-mentioned bag will cause the guide rail or plate 97 to move in an outward direction transversely of the conveyor' belt 91. With reference to Fig. 4 it will be seen that a switch 210 is mounted on the conveyor frame structure 96 and is provided'with an actuator button 211 which is normally engaged by one of the arms 98. It may be assumed that the switch 210 when engaged by the arm 98 is in a closed condition, and the same is preferably interposed in the circuit of the drive motor 158. Thus, when the guide plate or rail 97 is moved outwardly as above indicated, the switch engaging arm 98 moves out of engagement with the switch actuator 211 to open the circuit to the drive motor 158, thus shutting down the machine until the conveyor belt 91 can become cleared.

Our invention has been thoroughly tested and found to be completely satisfactory for the accomplishment of the objectives set forth; and while we have shown and described a commercial embodiment of our novel bag feeding and filling machine, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What we claim is:

l. ln a bag feeding and filling machine, bag filling means, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, aV

bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a pusher element and a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the bag filling means, opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and moving the same out of the holder into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and permit the filled bag to move into the path of travel of said pusher element when said transfer device is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

2. In a bag feeding and filling machine, bag filling means, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed flat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, a bag extractor movable generally vertically between an upper bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a lower bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a pusher element and a bag holder movable therewith in a generally horizontal direction between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position underlying the bag filling means and in register therewith, opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag `and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and raising the same out of the holder upwardly into engagement with said fingers when the transfer device is in its projected position, actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and drop the filled bag into the path of travel of said pusher element when said transfer device is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

3. In a bag feeding and filling machine; bag filling means; a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed flat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship; a bag extractor; means for imparting reciprocatory move ments to the bag extractor between a bag extracting position adjacent said magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom; a bag transfer device including a bag holder; means mounting and guiding said transfer device for reciprocatory movements alternately to a rc- .tracted position when the extractor is in its bag extract- -ing position to receive a bag delivered thereto by the bag extractor, and to a projected position wherein the bag holder is in register with the bag filling means; said bag filling means including opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within the bag and engage inner -wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag; opposed bag Wall engaging members; and actuator mechanism for moving said bag wall engaging members in directions' 'to engage and partially open the bag, for moving the bag into engagement with lsaid fingers prior to retracting movement of said transfer device, and for thereafter causing said ybag wall engaging members and fingers to release the filled bag to permit the same to move into the path of projecting movement of a portion of thc transfer device while the transfer device is in its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said ltransfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

4. The structure defined in claim 3 in which said bag extractor includes a bag engaging suction head, and in rfurther combination with means for moving said suc `tion head from its bag extracting position adjacent the magazine to 'a point beyond its delivery position, wherein said suction head is laterally offset from the path of .travel of said transfer device and a bag carried in the bag holder thereof.

5. The structure defined in claim 4 in further combina tion with means for moving said magazine toward and away from the bag extractor during movement of the exarenoso tractor in one* direction whereby to cause engagement ofv a bagzby the'suc'tionk head and removal of a portion of `the bagl from themagazine-during'said movement of the extractor in said` one direction, subsequent movement of the extractor in the opposite direction causing total removal of the bag from the magazine and insertion thereof into the bag holder.

6. In a bag feed-ing and fillingv machine, bag filling means, a platform underlyingY ythe bag filling means,k a magazine for holding a-plurality of bags-in closed flat 'form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, a bag extractor movable between albagextracting position adjacent the' magazine .andl a bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of thelextractor and a projected/positionoverlying said platform and in register with the bag filling means, said bag filling means including a pair of oppose-'d `bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for Ypartially opei'n'ngV the bag and moving the same out of the holder and upwardly into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position, actuator mechanism for said'fing'e'rs and bag wall engaging meni- =befrs causing the same 4to release'the bag after the bag is filled .andrdrop said filled bag onto said platform when said transfer device is moved to itsV retracted position, and conveyor means adjacent said platform, said transfer device including a pusher element engaging said filled :bag during a subsequent movement of said transfer device t its projected position to move said filledv bag from the platform to said 'conveyor means.

7. In a bag feeding and filling machine; bag filling means; a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in .closed flat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship; a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent .the magazine and a bag delivery position remote' therefrom; a bag transfer device including a ybag holder movable 'between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent thedelivery position of 'the extractor `and a projected positionin' register with the bag filling means; opposed bag opening fingers vadapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to yfully open the bag; 'a pair of opposed suction heads, means mounting and guiding said suction heads for movements toward each other to engage opposite outer side wall surfaces of the bag supported in the transfer device ini-its projected'position'and away from each 4other to partially vopen thebag, and for common movements in a direction to cause said fingers to be received within the' partially opened bag; and actuator mechanism for impart# ing said bag 'opening movements to the suction heads `and said fingers and for causing said lsuction heads and fingers `to release said bag `after the bag has been filled and `when the transfer device is retracted, to permit thefilled bag to move into the path of rtravel of said transfer device and be displaced thereby upon a subsequent movement thereof to its .projected position.

8.,.I`n a bag feeding .and filling machine, supporting structure comprising a pair of laterally spaced frame members, bag filling means lmounted between said frame members at their upper end portions, a magazine for hol-ding apluralityof bags-in closed flat form and in sidetby-'side stacked relationship between said frame members, a bagextractor mountedon one of said frame members for movements between a bag extracting position adjacent the'ma'gazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom, aubag transfer device including a bag holder, means/mounting saidN transfer device to the other of said frame members for movements between a retracted bag vreceiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the b'agfilingurneans," opposed bag opening fingers .adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wallsurfacesrthereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including" opposed bag wall engaging members for par- .tially opening the bag-and transporting the same outof the holder and into engagement with said fingers when said .transfer device is in said projected position, means mounting said bag `wall engaging members to said one of the frame membersfor said bag engaging and transl porting movements, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the saine to release the bag after the bag is filled .and permit the filled bag to move into the path of travel of said transfer device when said transfer tdevice is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of the transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

9. In a 'bag feeding and filling machine, supporting structure comprising a pair of laterally spaced frame members, bag filling means mounted between said frame members at their upper end .port-ions, a magazine for holding a plurality of bag's in closed flat form and in side-byside stacked relationsehip between said frame members,- a bag extractor, means mounting said bag extractor for movements between an upper bag extractingposition adjacent said magazine and a lower delivery position below the level of the magazine, a bag transfer device including a bag holder, means mounting the bag ltransfer device lto the other of said iframe members for reciprocatory movements between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and -a projected position in' regis-ter `with ythe bag filling means, said extractor at its lowermost limit of movement beingY disposedr below the level of said -bag holder to permit movement of the bag holder thereover, opposed depending bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage' opposite inner wall surf-aces thereof to fully open Ithe bag, mechanism including opposed bagwall engaging members for partially opening thebag and transporting ythe bag upwar-dly from the holder and into engagement with'said fingers, lmeans mountingthe bag wall engaging members to said one of the frame members for said bag engaging and `transporting movements, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and 'bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after vthe bag is filled and drop the filled bag-into the-path of travel of said transfer' device when Ithe transfer device is moved `to its retracted position, where subsequent movement :of the transfer device toward its projected position will cause the bag to be displaced.

10. In a -b'ag feeding and lling machine, supporting structure comprising a pair of laterallyspaced frame members, bag filling means mounted between said frame members at their upper end portions7 a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in sideby-side stacked relationship `between the frame members, a bag extractor, means mounting said bag extractor to one `of said frame members for vertical movements between an upper bag extracting position adjacent the maga'lzine and a lower bag delivery position remote therefrom, arplatform underlying the bag filling means, a cnveyoir adjacent said platform, a bag transfer device including a holder and a lpusher plate, means mounting said transfer device to the other of said frame members for reciprocatory movements between a retracted bag receive ing position adjacent the ydelivery position of the extractor and aprojected yposition wherein the bag holder is in 'register with the bag filling means and in roverlying relation to'said platform, opposed bag opening fingers operatively associated "with said bagfilling means and adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surf` es thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including of ose-d 'bag wall engaging 'members for partially opening the bag and transporting the 'bag upwardly out of the holder and into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in its projected position, means mountingjsaid bag` wall engaging members to said one of the frame members for Asaid bag'engaging and transporting movements, and actuator 'mechanism for saidfingers and bag wall engaging 'members causing the same .to release and drop said bag onto said platform after the bag 1s filled and when the transfer device is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device toward its projected position will cause 4said pusher plate to engage and move the filled bag from the platform to said conveyor simultaneously with the delivery of a closed bag in the holder to its point of registry with the bag filling means,

ll. The structure defined in claim in which said transfer device includes an arm extending generally in the direction of retracting and projecting movement thereof and from which the bag holder and pusher plate laterally extend, and in which said means mounting the transfer device comprises a pair of spaced rigid links pivotally connected at their opposite ends to said yframe member 'and said arm for swinging movements about parallel axes V'extending transversely of the path of travel `of said transfer device, and in further combination with cam means.

engaging one of said links to impart swinging movements thereto.

l2. In a bag feeding and filling machine, bag filling means. a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in fclosed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, said magazine having a discharge portion, a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent the discharge portion of said magazine and a bag `delivery por- 'tion remote therefrom, means for transferring bags from said extractor to the bag filling means, said magazine being movable toward and away from the bag extractor in its lbag extracting position, and mechanism for imparting `movement to the bags in the magazine toward said discharge portion, said mechanism comprising a bag engaging member, means mounting said member `for advancing movements toward the bags in said magazine in spaced relation to the discharge portion of 'the magazine and retracting movements away from said bags, and means for moving said member into engagement with bags in the magazine responsive to movement of the extractor ltoward its bag extracting position and subsequent lto movement of the magazine toward the extractor, whereby, upon subsequent movement of the magazine away from the extractor, the bags between the discharge portion thereof and said member will be moved toward said discharge portion.

13. The structure defined in claim l2 in which said bag engaging member comprises a fiat resilient blade, an-d in which the mounting means therefore includes a rock arm mounted for limited generally upward and downward swinging movements, and in further combination with a hook element operatively associated with said bag extractor and engaging said rock arm to move said blade into the magazine and between a pair of adjacent bags therein upon movement of `the extractor toward its bag extracting position adjacent the magazine.

14. In a bag feeding and filling machine, bag filling means, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, a bag extractor movable generally vertically between an upper bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a lower bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a pusher element and a bag holder movable therewith in a generally horizontal direction between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position underlying the bag filling means and in register therewith, said pusher element being spaced from the bag holder in the direction of projected movement of the transfer device, opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and raising the same out of the holder upwardly into engagement with said fingers when the transfer device is in its projected position, actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and drop the filled bag into the path of travel of said pusher element' when said transfer device is moved to its retracted'position, whereby subsequent movement of the transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be engaged by said pusher element and displaced thereby.

l5. In a bag feeding and filling machine; bag filling means; a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed flat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship; a bag extractor; means for moving the bag extractor between a bag extracting position adjacent said magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom; a bag transfer device including a bag holder; means mounting and guiding said transfer device for movements alternately to a retracted position when the extractor is in its bag extracting position, whereby to receive a bag delivered thereto by the bag extractor, and to a projected position wherein the bag holder is in register with the bag filling means, said last-mentioned means comprising a pair of spaced rigid supporting links mounted for swinging movements about parallel axes normal to the direction of movement of said transfer device, said links being pivotally secured to spaced portions of saidv 'transfer device on axes parallel to said first-mentioned axes; cam means engaging one of said links to impart swinging movements thereto generally in the direction o f projecting and retracting movements of said transfer device; said bag filling means including opposed bag Vopening fingers adapted to be received within the bag and engage inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag; opposed bag wall engaging members, and actuator mechl anism for moving said b ag wallengaging Vmemhersin directions to engage and partiallyV open the bag, for moving the bag into engagement with said fingers prior to retracting movement of said transfer device, and for thereafter causing said bag wall engaging members and fingers to release the filled bag to permit the same lto move into the path of projecting movement of a portion of the transfer device while the transfer device is in its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

16. In a bag feeding and filling machine, a bag filling means, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the bag filling means, a pair of bag opening fingers comprising a pair of opposed channel elements defining a filling spout at the discharge end of said bag filling means and adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof, said channel elements being movable toward each other to facilitate reception thereof into a partially opened bag and away from each other to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and moving the same out of the holder into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and permit the lled bag to move into the path of travel of a portieri of the transfer device when said transfer device is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced, said actuator mechanism being coupled to said channel definingffingers to move'the fingers toward andawa" frm each other.

' 17."In a bagfeeding and filling machine; bag filling means; a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship; a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting positiony adjacent the magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom; a bag transfer device comprising, a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the bag filling means, an arm connected to said bag holder and extending longitudinally of the direction of travel thereof, and a filled bag engaging pusher plate at one end of said arm, said pusher plate extending transversely outwardly of one Side of said arm in forwardly spaced relation from said bag holder with respect to the direction of projecting movement of the transfer device; opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag; mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and moving the same out of the holder into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position; and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and permit the filled bag to move into the path of travel of a portion of the transfer device when said transfer device is moved to its retracted position; whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

18. The structure dened in claim 17 in which said bag holder includes a pair of laterally spaced parallel support elements defining opposed channels for the reception of opposite side edge portions of said bag.

19. In a bag feeding and filling machine, supporting structure comprising a pair of laterally spaced frame members, bag filling means mounted between said frame members at their upper end portions, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship between said frame members, a bag extractor, means mounting said bag extractor for movements between an upper bag extracting position adjacent said magazine and a lower delivery position below the level of the magazine, a bag transfer device including a bag holder, said bag holder comprising a pair of laterally spaced parallel upright support elements defining opposed channels for the reception of opposite side edge portions of the bag, means for mounting said support elements for independent movements laterally with respect to the transfer device,

whereby the spacing between said channels may be varied to accommodate bags of various widths, means mounting the bag transfer device to the other of said frame members for reciprocatory movements between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the bag filling means, said extractor at its lowermost limit of movement being disposed below the level of said bag holder to permit movement of the bag holder thereover, opposed depending bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and transporting the bag upwardly from the holder and into engagement with said fingers, means mounting the bag wall engaging members to said one of the frame members for said bag engaging and transporting movements, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled trans'fcf device when the andiirop the filled baginto the path of travel of said transfer deviceis moved to its retracted position, wherebysubsequent movement of the trafisf'erjdevice toward `its projected position will Cause the bag tombe displaced. j Y r 4 (20.,Injfaf1bag feeding andifilling machine, bag filling means, a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship, a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom, a bag transfer device including a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position in register with the bag filling means, opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag, mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and moving the same out of the holder into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position, said bag wall engaging members comprising suction heads each including an openended bag Wall engaging cup and a perforated wall extending across the bag wall engaging open end thereof, said perforated wall limiting movement of the engaged portion of the bag wall inwardly of said cup whereby to prevent distortion of the bag when the suction head is subject to subatmospheric pressure, and actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and permit the filled bag to move into the path of travel of a portion or the transfer device when said transfer -device is moved to its retracted position, whereby subsequent movement of said transfer device to its projected position will cause the filled bag to be displaced.

21. In a bag feeding and filling machine; bag filling means; a platform underlying the bag filling means; a magazine for holding a plurality of bags in closed fiat form and in side-by-side stacked relationship; a bag extractor movable between a bag extracting position adjacent the magazine and a bag delivery position remote therefrom; a bag transfer ldevice including a bag holder movable between a retracted bag receiving position adjacent the delivery position of the extractor and a projected position overlying said platform and in register with the bag filling means; said bag filling means including a pair of opposed bag opening fingers adapted to be received within a bag and engage opposite inner wall surfaces thereof to fully open the bag; mechanism including opposed bag wall engaging members for partially opening the bag and moving the same out of the holder and upwardly into engagement with said fingers when said transfer device is in said projected position; actuator mechanism for said fingers and bag wall engaging members causing the same to release the bag after the bag is filled and drop said filled bag onto said platform when said transfer device is moved to its retracted position; conveyor means adjacent said platform; said transfer device including a pusher element engaging said filled bag during a subsequent movement of said transfer device to move said filled bag from the platform to said conveyor means; power operated mechanism including a motor for imparting bag extracting movement to the bag extractor, bag transferring movements to said transfer device, and movements to said bag wall engaging members and said bag opening fingers; a bag wall engaging guide element positioned in the path of travel of a filled bag from said platform to said conveyor means and beyond the normal limit of travel of the bag-in said path; and circuit means including a switch.forl'said'Ik motor, said switch being operatively coupled to said 1 13% guide element whereby to be Opened by bag imparted 2,332,187- rnovement of said guide element to shut off said motor. 2,546,193

' 2,689,073` References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 2,051,483 Jones Aug. 18, 1936 20 Allen Oct. 19, 1943 Lindstaedt et al Mar. 27, 1951 Twgg Sep't. 14, 1954 

